World Physique

WP: I'm here with our female contestant winner, Tracie Euker. We were honored to crown her, "Ms. World Physique, December 2008". Let’s begin with you telling our viewers a little about yourself.

TE: I am 41 years young. A wife, mother of 2 boys under the age of 7, a full time art teacher and Figure/Fit body competitor with the INBF.

WP: What has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?

TE: The encouragement of friends who saw in me the drive and ambition to be a figure competitor before I saw it myself. It was their encouragement that helped me to reach for and live my dreams!

WP: You're lucky to have people like that in your life. They are a blessing. What has it been like to maintain your physique? Have you done anything different lately?

TE: I have always been on the thin side but, not necessarily toned. I use to be a cardio queen when aerobic classes were all the rage. Once I discovered weight training I was hooked. I train differently in the off season. Off season I gain weight which I feel helps me to increase my strength. When training for a contest I increase cardio, lower my weights and increase reps to sculpt a more toned look.

WP: Well, you look great now! Earlier, you mentioned you were a figure competitor. Can you tell me a little about your competition history.

TE: My first competition was in 2007 which was The INBF Hercules Championships in NYC. Believe it or not prior to my first show I had never heard of Figure competition or saw a show! I was scared to death but confident at the same time. I knew I had put 100% into my training and was ready to go. I ended up winning 1st place in Novice Figure. From then on, I was hooked and the rest they say is history!

WP: Are you planning to compete again in the future?

TE: Yes, I will compete again in the INBF Hercules this Spring 2009, adding the Ms. Fit Body (a hybrid of Figure and Women’s body building) competition to my list.

WP: We wish you all the best! Where do you reside now?

TE: I live in upstate NY (Catskill Mountains) about an hour and ½ from New York City. It’s rural, a great place to raise a family but, close enough to the city to enjoy all the amenities we love. The best of both worlds!

WP: What other sports or activities did or do you enjoy?

TE: I like inline skating, biking and hiking, activities that my husband and I can do with the kids.

WP: You've mentioned your kids and family in this interview. Tell me about your family.

TE: I am married to Brad. It will be 8 years this March. We have two little boys Madden, age 6, and Cameron, age 4. Family is very important to the both of us. We try to involve our kids in all we do.

WP: You sound very happy! That's outstanding in this world of divorces! I'm glad to see a couple that is happy. What has figure competitions taught you thus far?

TE: Figure competing has taught me to always strive for my personal best. I am the only one who can make or break it. If I give my all, do the best I can do, that is what makes me a winner. Also, to be a good listener. There are many who have great advice to offer!

WP: That is so true. Since you have the background in competing, what was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started? So many new athletes entering the competition world would love to know this.

TE: The hardest thing I had to over come was people who didn’t necessarily share or believe in my dreams. On the positive side, it helped to fuel my fire in order to make believers out of them.

WP: What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?

TE: It was the cravings for junk food! Also, cooking separate meals for myself and my family. It's hard to watch everyone eat a big steak and fries when looking at my little salad with grilled chicken. Ha-ha!

WP: Oh, yes! It is hard! But, you feel good about yourself because you know you are eating clean and doing what is good for you. What are the key factors that dictate the way you train today?

TE: My upper body grows quite easily while my lower body takes longer. I put quite a bit of focus on my legs to bring them up to speed. I strive to have a balanced & overall symmetrical look.

WP: How has your training changed over the years?

TE: I am relatively new to the sport. This spring will mark my 3rd year of competing. If I had to say one thing, it would be that my workouts changed from being cardio based to more of a muscle toning one.

WP: What titles/accomplishments have you thus far? Tell me about them.

TE: I won 1st place in my first competition, the 2007 INBF Hercules (Novice class). From there, I placed 2nd in Masters Figure and 3rd in Figure B class at the 2007 NYS Figure Championships and 5th in Figure B and 5th in Ms. Fit body at the 2007 INBF Amateur WORLDS. In 2008, I placed 1st in Figure B class and 1st in Masters Figure at the INBF NYS Figure Championships.

I placed 2nd in Ms. Fit Body and 5th in Figure B class at the Amateur WORLDS. What a difference a year makes! I hope to win my pro-card this year!

WP: Good Gosh! You have a great resume! Wow! I'm impressed! Where do you see your career and life in 10 years from now?

TE: I would love to become Personal Trainer to help others believe in themselves and to achieve their goals. I would also like to work in the fitness industry as spokesperson and or figure model. I love that I am teaching my children that hard work and effort can make their dreams come true. I am glad to be a positive role model for them as well as the students I teach. I hope to continue doing so for many years to come.

WP: You never stop amazing me! You care about other people, your family, and you know what you want in life! You will go so far! Since you won "Ms. World Physique, what do you have planned with modeling?

TE: I would love to do some modeling. One of the prizes is a professional photo shoot. I am hoping that exposure will help to jump start a career in the industry. (Thank you!!)

 WP: You will love working with Sean! He's very famous in the photography business. And, you are welcome! If we can just be a small portion of someone's success, that is all we are asking. Can you tell me any photographers you’d like to work with?

 TE: I would like to work with Dan Ray whom is very well known in the fitness industry for his amazing photography. Jason Breeze Canada's premier bodybuilding and fitness photographer, who I met through the INBF. And last but not least, Anthony Esposito of Glamtography, as I’ve heard wonderful things about him.

 WP: I've never seen a picture of Dan Ray Photography that I didn't just love! He's really good! He knows how to capture a model's beautiful and bring it to life! What supplements do you currently take?

 TE: Because the INBF is an all natural organization, I have to be careful of what I put into my body. I prefer to utilize food as much as possible to provide all the nutrients I need. I do take a multi vitamin, Glutamine during intense training and fish oil to provide essential fatty acids.

 WP: I truly respect you for being an all natural athlete, too! What are your pet peeves?

 TE: My pet peeve is people that talk and make promises and then don’t follow through. I like people who mean what they say and say what they mean. Life is too short to play games.

WP: That is actually one of my pet peeves, too. What do you consider to be important in life, and why?

TE: The obvious, family and friends for their love, support and encouragement. Having goals and trying your best to fulfill them. What would life be if we didn’t aggressively participate. We only get one chance… make the most of it!

WP: How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?

TE: I use to be very shy growing up and as a result often let others influence many of my choices and actions. Today, I am much more self confident and place much less weight on outside influences.

WP: I've gotten to know you pretty good during the modeling competition and talking back and forth. I just don't see you as a shy person. You are so easy to talk to and you're open! Give me an example of your workout.

TE: I workout 5 days a week doing a split routine. Work abs three of the five days. On season, cardio is added up to 2 times per day as needed.

WP: And an example of your diet...

TE: The typical chicken ,eggs, oats, lean beef, protein powder, vegetables. Lots of water and five small meals a day.

WP: Could you tell me about your future projects?

TE: I will be featured in the February issue of Parrillo Press Magazine and sometime soon, as Athlete of the week on BodyBuilding.com. I am hoping to continue to network and get my name out there.

WP: Congrats! Those are big accomplishments! Any shout outs?

TE: Yes! Thanks to my husband, Brad, and my family for their support, my friends for believing in me and my figure coach, Lauren Epidy, who’s amazing knowledge of the sport keeps me in the winners circle time and time again.

WP: What are your stats, such as height, weight, biceps, and waist?

TE: I'm 5’4”, 117 lbs, and I have a 27” waist.

WP: What other projects have you recently been involved with?

TE: I was recently profiled on MuscleMagFitness.com, The premier Muscle and fitness, Nutrition and Health Resource Portal on the web.

WP: It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you all the best of luck!

TE: Thank you and best wishes for a wonderful New Year!